Experience

Steve helps regulated businesses - in particular, food and medical device companies - successfully bring their products to market. He also advises management on the day-to-day legal issues facing their companies. Steve helps his clients stay competitive while keeping a close watch on the regulatory issues that can derail products before and after they get to market.

Steve provides counsel to USDA and FDA-regulated businesses in many areas, including:

• product labeling, advertising and promotional materials
• the regulatory scheme affecting or governing such products, including mandatory and voluntary submissions (FDA-required petitions and notifications) and food facility registration
• the "new" FDA reporting requirements (through RFR) of "reportable food"
• import and export issues, including detention actions by U.S. Customs
• during "crisis" situations, including misbranding lawsuits, government enforcement actions (including press releases and warning letters), stop-sale orders, and recall or market withdrawal situations
• the business of food – documenting and negotiating business relationships and other commercial arrangements; structuring a distribution system; and obtaining liability protection (including through insurance audits) throughout the supply and distribution chain

Steve also has significant experience in distribution law, in particular providing counsel to clients regarding their distribution systems or franchising networks. He has assisted many clients in creating and terminating dealer, franchise, and sales representative relationships and in resolving disputes among the parties to such arrangements.

Education

• Indiana University School of Law
  Bloomington, Indiana
  J.D., 2000
• University of Michigan
  Ann Arbor, Michigan
  B.A., Economics and Political Science, 1996

Professional Activities

• Grand Rapids Bar Association
• Muskegon County Bar Association
• State Bar of Michigan
• German-American Chamber of Commerce of the Midwest - Michigan Chapter

Community Activities

• Board Member, Junior Achievement of the Michigan Great Lakes, Inc.